Column: Silver did the right thing

By Jessika Morgan / Sports Editor

Published: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 05:41 PM.

Because Sterling obviously felt the black race is beneath him — even if the likes of Michael Jordan and all-powerful Magic Johnson are in the mix, I think Silver made the best decision to set a precedent for punishment of those type of exposed views and to restore the faith in the fans of the NBA, a faith temporarily diminished by Sterling’s grotesque comments.

I’m proud of the new commissioner, a guy I thought was soft until Tuesday’s decision to hammer the lifetime ban. This was a great opportunity for him to affirm his role and to possibly strike fear into others within the club and culture , because this isn’t the first time Sterling’s name was associated with the term “racist.”

Good for the commish for acting quickly — a mix of politics and possibly a bit of morality.

Sterling, the longest-tenured owner in the NBA — a league whose players are 76 percent black — according to an Associated Press report, is worth about $2 billion, so the fine and even if he is forced to sell the team is no sweat off his back.

BUT, the league’s decision wasn’t all about his money, it’s about disciplining Sterling. If he is forced to sell the Clippers, he’s going to be even more rich and out of touch. But with all that green, he’s going to have to live the rest of his life in the malevolent shadow of his racist misery.

There’s been a question as to if Sterling actually won this episode, and I’d say of course not! This time last week, he was the lavish Clippers owner living the good life. This week, he can’t go anywhere near the team or facilities. He lost, and he got what he deserved, even if he was set up.

If you think Mr. Sterling deserved anything short of a lifetime ban, you’ve lost in life just as much as he.

After the hallway rivalry that’s formed over the last couple of years at the Staples Center, I never thought I would ever, ever, ever root in favor of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Tuesday night, this Lakers fan was actually glad to see them win.

After a 21-point loss to their Round 1 playoff opponent Golden State Warriors revealed their unescapable emotional distress in Game 4 Sunday, I couldn’t help but pity the Clips.

After a recording of Clippers Owner Donald Sterling fixing his lips to make disturbing racial remarks this past weekend surfaced, I was outraged as a basketball fan.

Surprised, however, is what I wasn’t until NBA Commissioner Adam Silver delivered his verdict after a league investigation: banning Sterling for life and fining him $2.5 million.

I didn’t see that coming.

When the conversation about how repulsed Sterling is by the idea of black folk being seen with his side chick in public was exposed, that was no surprise to me at all. Yes, it made me angry as a black person and as, aforementioned, a fan of the game. However, I’ve noticed now more than ever before just how thriving racism is. There are plenty of trees falling in the forest, even in these modern times, sadly.

Because Sterling obviously felt the black race is beneath him — even if the likes of Michael Jordan and all-powerful Magic Johnson are in the mix, I think Silver made the best decision to set a precedent for punishment of those type of exposed views and to restore the faith in the fans of the NBA, a faith temporarily diminished by Sterling’s grotesque comments.

I’m proud of the new commissioner, a guy I thought was soft until Tuesday’s decision to hammer the lifetime ban. This was a great opportunity for him to affirm his role and to possibly strike fear into others within the club and culture , because this isn’t the first time Sterling’s name was associated with the term “racist.”

Good for the commish for acting quickly — a mix of politics and possibly a bit of morality.

Sterling, the longest-tenured owner in the NBA — a league whose players are 76 percent black — according to an Associated Press report, is worth about $2 billion, so the fine and even if he is forced to sell the team is no sweat off his back.

BUT, the league’s decision wasn’t all about his money, it’s about disciplining Sterling. If he is forced to sell the Clippers, he’s going to be even more rich and out of touch. But with all that green, he’s going to have to live the rest of his life in the malevolent shadow of his racist misery.

There’s been a question as to if Sterling actually won this episode, and I’d say of course not! This time last week, he was the lavish Clippers owner living the good life. This week, he can’t go anywhere near the team or facilities. He lost, and he got what he deserved, even if he was set up.

If you think Mr. Sterling deserved anything short of a lifetime ban, you’ve lost in life just as much as he.

Jessika Morgan is the Sports Editor of The Free Press. She can be reached at 252-559-1078 and Jessika.Morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.